| Stereotypical Minnesotan traits include | | | | can often be heard by campers in the |
| Lutheranism (26 percent of the state's | | | | northern part of the state and can even |
| population is Lutheran) "Minnesota | | | | on occasion be found as far south as |
| nice," "hot dish (a Minnesotan term for | | | | Minneapolis. |
| casserole)," lutefisk (a pungent | | | | The music of Minnesota has played a role |
| preparation of fish from Scandinavian | | | | in the historical and cultural |
| recipes that include soaking in lye), | | | | development of Minnesota. As with the |
| very close family ties (and a strong | | | | culture of Minnesota in general, the |
| sense of duty to their families, healthy | | | | state's music scene centers on the |
| and dysfunctional alike), a strong sense | | | | Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, and most of |
| of community and shared culture with | | | | the Minnesotan artists who have become |
| many other Minnesotans instead of just | | | | nationally popular either came from that |
| with one's town or city, Minnesota's | | | | area or debuted there. Minnesota's |
| rather unique form of Upper Midwest | | | | modern local music scene is home to |
| American English (including | | | | thousands of local bands, many of which |
| Scandinavian-sounding words like | | | | perform with some regularity . Some |
| "uff-da"), and a distinctive type of | | | | performers from nearby regions of |
| upper Midwestern accent. However, due to | | | | neighboring states, such as western |
| the increase of migrants from throughout | | | | Wisconsin and Fargo, North Dakota, are |
| the United States (many originating from | | | | often considered a part of the Minnesota |
| the West Coast and the Chicago | | | | music scene. |
| metropolitan area ) and the rise of | | | | Minneapolis has produced a number of |
| immigration of Hmong, Vietnamese, | | | | famous performers, such as Bob Dylan, |
| Somalis and other East Africans, | | | | who began his musical career in the |
| Liberians, Kenyans, Nigerians, Russians, | | | | Minneapolis area, and Terry Lewis and |
| Eastern Europeans and Latin Americans | | | | Jimmy Jam Harris, who eventually formed |
| (mostly Mexicans), many cultures in the | | | | The Time and produced for Gladys Knight |
| state are slowly blending together and | | | | and Janet Jackson. Minneapolis' most |
| slowing changing the culture of the | | | | influential contributions to American |
| state similar to what European | | | | popular music began in the 1970s and |
| immigrants to Minnesota had done in the | | | | 1980s, when the city's music scene |
| mid-nineteenth to early-twentieth | | | | "expanded the state's cultural identity" |
| centuries. Native Americans have a | | | | and launched the careers of acclaimed |
| moderate presence in Minnesota, and some | | | | performers like the multi-platinum soul |
| tribes operate casinos which have been | | | | singer Prince, and cult favorites The |
| said to be among the most profitable in | | | | Replacements and Hüsker Dü. Not to |
| the country. The earliest European | | | | mention a thriving hip-hop scene with |
| exploration and settlement was by the | | | | such rappers as Atmosphere and P.O.S. |
| French, and settlement from Scandinavian | | | | Minnesota's modern music scene includes |
| countries along with Germany followed. | | | | rock, hip hop and electronic music, and |
| The Métis people, a mixed French and | | | | is especially known for punk rock and |
| Native American culture, were a presence | | | | hardcore. Prior to the evolution of punk |
| in the early state and territorial days, | | | | in the 1970s, there was little rock and |
| but largely moved north into Canada. | | | | roll tradition from Minneapolis, which |
| Minnesota is not strongly associated | | | | author Steven Blush attributed to a lack |
| with any particular food, though in | | | | of anything to "rebel against", noting |
| recent years dishes like wild rice | | | | that it was Minneapolis' friendly |
| sausage have come from the state and | | | | atmosphere that made future hardcore |
| more will undoubtedly follow as | | | | punk musicians "crazy and rebellious" . |
| Minnesotan chefs seek to define their | | | | The first rock band from Minneapolis to |
| home in the culinary world. The state is | | | | achieve national prominence was the surf |
| known as being very committed to | | | | rock group The Trashmen who formed in |
| education and as such, has a very | | | | 1962 and had a hit two years later with |
| educated population throughout the | | | | "Surfin' Bird". That song, along with |
| state. | | | | Dave Dudley's "Six Days on the Road", |
| Modern immigrants have come from all | | | | helped to establish the Kay Banks |
| over the world in recent decades, with | | | | studio, which would go on to record |
| Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Indians, | | | | bands like the Guess Who and would |
| Middle Easterners, and the former Soviet | | | | become known for a distinctive sound |
| bloc all being well-represented. Some | | | | characterized by three-track recording |
| Chinese and Japanese have had long | | | | and the use of echo effects. Dove |
| presences in the state as well. Mexicans | | | | Studios was another prominent studio in |
| are a growing force. Many modern | | | | the 60s, known for releasing a series of |
| immigrants are attracted by the state's | | | | psychedelic and garage rock singles that |
| historically strong commitments toward | | | | have become collector's items, including |
| education and social services and many | | | | Calico Wall's "Flight Reaction" and The |
| come sponsored and assisted by | | | | Litter's Distortions . |
| congregations committed to service and | | | | Bob Dylan became the first major |
| social justice. | | | | mainstream star from Minnesota in the |
| Outdoor activities are major parts of | | | | 1960s, known for his unique lyricism and |
| the lives of many Minnesotans, including | | | | folk-rock style. He spent a brief period |
| hunting and fishing. Unique activities | | | | in Minneapolis, attending the University |
| include ice fishing, which was popular | | | | of Minnesota. He was associated with |
| with the early Scandinavian immigrants. | | | | Dinkytown, the local center for young |
| Families frequently own or share cabins | | | | fans of folk music, where he listened to |
| on central and northern tracts of land | | | | a wide variety of folk and blues. The |
| in forests and adjoining lakes, and | | | | city's local folk scene produced a few |
| weekend trips out to these properties | | | | well-known performers in the 1960s, |
| are common. The 71 state parks which | | | | besides Dylan, who spent much of his |
| protect diverse landscapes in a state of | | | | eary career based out New York; these |
| nature are quite popular. A concern for | | | | include the guitarist Leo Kottke and the |
| environmentalism is shared by most state | | | | trio Koerner Ray & Glover. Folk music |
| residents in one form or another, vegans | | | | continues to be a major part of the |
| and hunters alike. As with other | | | | Minnesota music scene, and is broadcast |
| northwoods states (such as Wisconsin and | | | | by the Prairie Home Companion, a radio |
| Michigan), residents like to joke that | | | | show hosted by author Garrison Keillor; |
| the mosquito is the state bird. The | | | | the Red House record label is the most |
| state bird is actually the common loon | | | | influential local label, and releases |
| (Gavia immer, also called the Great | | | | records by Peter Ostroushko and Greg |
| northern diver), whose distinctive cry | | | | Brown, among others . |